Abstract
Acetylsalicylic acid was prepared using salicylic acid and acetic anhydride. As a result, a white, powdery substance was formed (0.1931g, percent yield 91.30%) and was defined by melting point (124.5 – 134.5°C) and observation of color change with ferric chloride.
Introduction
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is one of the most popular analgesic drugs on the market today. It also acts as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drug. Salicylic acid itself was too acidic and irritating to the membranes of the mouth to be taken in its original form, so acetylsalicylic acid was synthesized by a Bayer chemist and sold under the name aspirin.
Procedure
See lab notebook.
Results and Discussion
Mass of Salicylic Acid
0.2113 g
Volume of Acetic Anhydride
0.480 mL
Mass of Acetylsalicylic Acid
0.1931 g
Melting Point of Product
124.5 – 134.5°C
% Yield
91.30%
Test Tube
Observations
Control
Very light yellow/clear solution
Salicylic Acid
Deep violet solution
Acetylsalicylic Acid
Very faint, lavender solution
Calculations
0.2113g x
0.1931g x
Percent Yield Equation:
Actual Percent Yield:
The experiment yielded a decent amount of acetylsalicylic acid. The initial melting point however was more than 10° lower than the literature melting point. This implies that the substance obtained includes an impurity. During the ferric chloride test, a very faint lavender solution resulted, also confirming that a slight impurity was present. Some of these impurities could be water (used to rinse the acetylsalicylic acid in the funnel), acetic anhydride, acetic acid or perhaps leftover salicylic acid that was not completely used during the reaction.
Suggested improvements include allowing the vacuum to run longer to absorb more of the water used in the filtration stage of the procedure. This would allow a more pure substance.
Conclusion
Acetylsalicylic acid was created successfully. The product had a 91.30% actual percent yield (0.1931 g) and the melting point range was 124.5 – 134.5°C which indicates that some impurity was present. Additionally, by using ferric chloride to test purity, the color results (very faint lavender), confirmed that a slight impurity was present.
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